04 April 2010, BY Sepang International Circuits
For 12 lucky students, April 4, 2010 is a date that they will remember for a long time as they were given the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Formula One drivers.
The students had undergone an audition on March 26, and were given the chance to pose a question to Formula One drivers, which includes World Champions such as Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. The interview session was held at 2.30pm at the starting grid, and 2010 Formula One PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix audience were able to watch the interview as it was broadcasted on the television.
The Q and A session:
VIRGIN RACING:
Waliuddin Akmal Noor Ramli / Timo Glock:
Q: What kind of pressure do you feel driving for a new team here in Sepang?
A: The pressure is the same. In Formula One, the pressure is always on, but I think due to our starting position today, the pressure is a bit higher.
LOTUS RACING:
Hafiy Danish Arman / Heikki Kovalainen
Q: How does it feel to drive on the home ground?
A: It’s an incredible feeling to be driving at the Sepang Circuit, and it will be good driving here in front of our fans. Thanks a lot you guys, me and Heikki experienced a very good race weekend. So thanks a lot for supporting us.
HRT
Syauqina Firdus / Karun Chandok
Q: What do you do when you’re not racing or travelling?
A: To be honest, we don’t have a lot of free time during the season. We seem to be either on the plane or at the circuit. Being a new team, there’s lots of work that needs to be done. It’s been quite a busy season, but during the off-season, I’d go back to India, watch some movies with my friends and catch up with people outside the paddock .
A: Bruno Senna: I like chatting a lot.
TORRO ROSSO
Reyysmaan Aruddaiyar / Sebastian Buemi:
Q: Who is your favourite racing driver of all time?
A: There are many good drivers. You mentioned motorsports, right? I’d say my favourite driver is Valentino Rossi
FORCE INDIA
Badrish Isdin Bahadur /Andrian Sutil:
Q: What inspired you to drive the F1 car?
A: Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved speed and the adrenalin rush. I started with the go-cart and then I began to follow my dream of being an F1 driver.
RENAULT F1
Nigel Choy /Vitaly Petrov
Q: What do you think of the no –refueling system and how does it affect you?
A: It’s good for me because all the drivers are in the same position. I’ve had the experience before so it helps.
WILLIAM F1
Natalie Louisa Neoh Terlee / Rubens Barrichello
Q: What is your favourite Malaysian food?
A: My favourite Malaysian food? I’m on a diet every time, but I like chicken satay . I’d ask for it not to be spicy but it’s really nice. I’ve been coming here since 1999, and the chicken satay is one of my favourites.
BMW SAUBER
Nazim Azman/Kamui Kobayashi:
Q: What is more important in winning races, a good driver or a good car?
A: Both. To win, both the car and the driver have to be strong. Most importantly, it’s the teamwork, we are all team players, it’s not an independent game.
FERRARI
Nur Syafiqah Farisha Ali /Fernando Alonso
Q:How do you overcome the pressure before going into cockpit? And how do you deal with the heat over at the circuit?
A: Well, (to deal with the heat) you have to drink water before getting into the car. The best way to deal with the pressure is to keep working, (work is) the best thing and it helps not to stress too much. We need to be healthy. The weather is hot and humid here, but I hope everyone will enjoy the race
MCLAREN
Mahathir Mohamed / Lewis Hamilton:
Q: Which sector of Sepang circuit is most difficult for you and why?
A: Well, I think the corners at the end of the track are probably the most challenging ones. Turns 6,7,8 and 9 are the ones where the drivers need to put lap together.
RED BULL RACING
Omar Sirisambhand /Mark Webber
Q: What would you like to tell your fans in Malaysia about safety in driving?
A: I think the young people should have their helmets on at all time. Sometimes I see the young people riding around without them and I think it’s very dangerous.
MERCEDES GP
Nur Farah Hadfina Faizal/Michael Schumacher
Q: How does it feel to drive your car in the centre of KL on Wednesday?
A: I’ve had quite a lot of experience, but I’ve never experienced driving an F1 car around the Petronas Towers. It was my first time, and I really appreciated the fact that all the fans were there despite the the rain that day. I’m looking for a lot more fun this afternoon.
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